Interview with Humzey Yessin, December 10, 2015

Partial Transcript: Okay, uh, Humzey, if you would, first, just, uh, give us your name and the years--

Segment Synopsis: Yessin talks about his friendships with basketball players Wallace "Wah Wah" Jones and Ralph Beard. He talks about how he got to be a manager for the basketball team when he was a student at University of Kentucky. He talks about the recruiting process of the "Fabulous Five" team at the University of Kentucky.

Keywords: Football; Ralph Beard; Recruiting; Servicemen; Wallace "Wah Wah" Jones

Subjects: Basketball players--Kentucky; University of Kentucky--Basketball

Partial Transcript: Ho, how were tryouts back then?

Segment Synopsis: Yessin describes how Coach Rupp designed tryouts for the basketball team. He describes what practices were like, and Rupp's training methods.

Keywords: Championships; Coach Adolph Rupp; Defense; Offense; Practices; Recruiting; Reserves; Tryouts

Subjects: Basketball players--Kentucky; University of Kentucky--Basketball

Partial Transcript: I was looking through the, the record books, I noticed a lot of the NCAA tournaments were in Louisville, the finals.

Segment Synopsis: Yessin talks about the Kentucky Wildcats playing in the NCAA playoffs. He talks more about Coach Rupp's coaching style. He talks about the transition from Alumni Gym to Memorial Coliseum.

Keywords: Alumni Gym; Coach Adolph Rupp; Coaching; Memorial Coliseum; NCAA tournaments; Playoffs

Subjects: Basketball coaches--Kentucky; University of Kentucky--Basketball

Partial Transcript: Um, let me ask you about a couple things and if--I've, I've heard them, I, I, didn't know Coach Rupp, um.

Segment Synopsis: Yessin talks about Coach Rupp's superstitions and his personality. He tells stories about Rupp's interactions with different people and the things he said.

Keywords: Basketball games; Chili; Coach Adolph Rupp; Superstitious

Subjects: Basketball coaches--Kentucky; University of Kentucky--Basketball

Partial Transcript: Uh, you mentioned Coach Rupp was a, a farmer, too. Where was his farm located? He kind of moved around a little bit, didn't he, in the farm land?

Segment Synopsis: Yessin talks about Coach Rupp's farm land and where he lived and moved. He recalls more about Rupp's personality and his love for children.

Keywords: Athletic directors; Bourbon; Children; Coach Adolph Rupp; Farming

Subjects: Basketball coaches--Kentucky; University of Kentucky--Basketball

Partial Transcript: We talked about the, uh, the glory days, if you will, but let's talk a little bit about maybe some of the dark days.

Segment Synopsis: Yessin talks about how Coach Rupp was affected by the 1951 point shaving scandal. He talks about how events led up to the discovery of the scandal and how it got started. He discusses how it hurt the players who were involved.

Keywords: Bookies; Gambling; Point shaving scandal; Scandals

Subjects: Basketball coaches--Kentucky; Basketball players--Kentucky; University of Kentucky--Basketball

Partial Transcript: Um, so because of that, then, uh, Coach Rupp caught a little bit of heat.

Segment Synopsis: Yessin talks about how the scandals affected Coach Rupp's reputation. He discusses some of the criticism that has been made towards Rupp and how much of it was false. He talks about his friendship with C. M. Newton and how he got Newton a job at Transylvania University. [The interviewer mentions a movie, "The Road to Glory," but the film he references is called "Glory Road."]

Keywords: "Glory Road" (film); Coach Adolph Rupp; Racism; Recruiting; Rumors

Subjects: Basketball coaches--Kentucky; University of Kentucky--Basketball

Partial Transcript: Uh, so Coach Rupp, 42 years I think it is, from 1930 to 1972.

Segment Synopsis: Yessin talks about Rupp's retirement, and remembers the things he did for Lexington and his relationships with his friends. He talks about Rupp's particular mode of defense.

Keywords: Coach Adolph Rupp; Community involvement; Defense; Plays; Retirement

Subjects: Basketball coaches--Kentucky; University of Kentucky--Basketball